Taylor, Thomas, Arnsparger to enter Miami Dolphins Honor Roll

MIAMI GARDENS--Pulling Jimmy Johnson out of his hideaway in the Florida Keys is a challenge.

Getting the former Miami Dolphins coach to ditch shorts and flip flops for shoes and jeans, that takes a special event.

So came the announcement the Dolphins will induct Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas into the franchise's Honor Roll. Also being inducted is former longtime assistant coach Bill Arnsparger, who at 86 years old not in condition to make the trip and instead represented by his son, David.

Taylor and Thomas will be inducted during Oct. 14 during halftime against the St. Louis Rams. Arnsparger will be inducted Dec. 16 when the Dolphins host the Jacksonville Jaguars in conjunction with a ceremony to honor the 40th anniversary of the 1972 undefeated Dolphins.

Thomas was overcome with emotion more than once as he spoke to a room full of reporters and cameras.

"It seems like yesterday I was just a rookie, 1996 going out for my first preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," Thomas said. "At that time walking out on that field, I was third team. It means something to me. I've come a long way. Going out on the third team, nobody knew my name. It's special. It's surreal."

Thomas said he didn't see a lot of the honor roll members play, but he would look up at their names.

Thomas played started all 168 games he played and ranks fourth for the Dolphins all-time for starts and fifth for games played en route to seven Pro Bowls. For his career, Thomas compiled 2,043 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions (four for touchdowns), 15 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.

Today, he calls himself a Dolphins fan with a wife he sees a lot more than he did when he would come home late after long hours preparing.

Now with two children, he said he looks forward to a day when he can take them to a future Dolphins game.

"It's gonna be special ... when I'm sitting there and my son says, 'Dad, is that your name up there?,'" Thomas said fighting off more tears. "I ain't gonna say nothing. I'm just gonna nod my head proud, and that's the truth."

Taylor's wife and three kids stood along a wall and watched as he took his turn. He remarked the last time he stood at the same microphone was during a retirement press conference.

"The last time I stood here I I stood for for 45 minutes and I cried a lot," Taylor said. "I'm not gonna cry tonight."

Taylor started 186 of 204 games on his way to six Pro Bowls and being named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. He holds the Dolphins records for sacks (131), opponent fumble recoveries (27), fumble returns for touchdowns (6), defensive touchdowns (9) and interceptions by a defensive lineman (7). His career sack total of 139.5 ranks sixth all-time in the NFL.

"I always tell my kids I always hated losing than I enjoyed winning," Taylor said. "And that's kind of what's kept me going. Wins are great. I've never seen a win I didn't like, but the losses were the toughest. If I try to teach anything to the young guys was to try and appreciate the game for what it is. Take advantage of it while you can because it doesn't last very long."

Arnsparger joined the Dolphins when Don Shula was named head coach before the 1970 season. He is credited with being the brain behind the Dolphins defense for 12 of the next 14 years including the 1972 Dolphins.

That team, which remains the only undefeated team in NFL history was inducted to the honor roll Nov. 16, 1998 making this the second time Arnsparger receives the honor.

"I've been blessed throughout my coaching career with great assistant coaches, and I'm happy that Bill Arnsparger is now getting the recognition that he deserves," Shula said in a statement. "His attention to detail was what made him special. Nothing went unnoticed and his game plan was meticulous."

Once Taylor, Thomas and Arnsparger are added to the honor roll, the list of names will sit at 25. Founder Joe Robbie was the first inductee on Sept. 16, 1990.